As friends, family, and neighbors joined together to enjoy a summer harvest, the new farmer’s market pavilion was truly a place “Where Our Community Meets.”
The previously held Summer Harvest Dinner was the first farm-to-table dinner hosted by the Union County Farmer’s Market, but certainly not the last.
Lana Vasquez, a local culinary chef, created a seven-course meal while Elizabeth Tindell, a local pastry chef, created the desserts. Both chefs utilized ingredients from local farmers and producers. Along with this, Jessee Family Farms provided a live music performance for the attendees and flower arrangements for the tables.
Ken and Sally Baran, vice presidents of the Union County Farmers Market board, helped organize the event. The Barans moved to Tennessee to focus on becoming naturalists and environmentally conscious farmers. They began beekeeping in 2014 and have gained knowledge throughout the past few years on bee interactions inside the colonies.
Through their beekeeping endeavors, they were able to start selling pure raw honey at the farmer’s market a few years ago.
The Barans have converted 16 acres of pasture into pollination fields in the hope to promote the bee population of the area. Along with this, they are in the process of improving their 25 acres of wooded area by incorporating a variety of forestry management practices.
Similar to the Barans, many local producers were able to participate in the Summer Harvest Dinner. Additional vendors that were in attendance were; Hayes Hollow, House Mountain Bounty, Keck’s Kackleberries, KSB Apiary, Ramblin’ Ridge, Ridge & Valley Coffeehouse, Seven Springs Farm, Southern Sour, Thompson’s Farm, Thunder Road Printing and Graphic Design, Walnut Hill Farm and Wild Root Produce.
The farmer’s market is becoming a staple of the Union County community as it creates a friendly and fun atmosphere for local farmers, new businesses and consumers.
The Union County Farmer’s Market also allows business owners to network with community members in a variety of ways.
“The certified commercial kitchen allows the local chefs, bakers and entrepreneurs to create products to sell at the market and commercially,” said Baran.
The community can look forward to many more farm-to-table dinners and events in the future. The Union County Farmer’s Market board plans to work with the Chamber of Commerce and the Opry to host events throughout the year. Upcoming events are the Youth and Corn Festival and the Fall Pumpkin Palooza.
“Our guests were surprised by the fact that all the food came from our local farmers and producers,” said Baran. “It was extremely satisfying to know they enjoyed the food and appreciated the event.”
The Union County Farmer’s Market board would like to thank Seven Springs Farm to Table for sponsoring the Summer Harvest Dinner, where their Angus beef was highlighted in the main entrée.
For more information on the Union County Farmer’s Market and upcoming events, community members can visit the market’s website at UnionCoFarmersMarket.com.